Cooking appliance with an imaging device

ABSTRACT

A cooking appliance can include a cooking chamber and an imaging device for capturing an image of a food item inside the chamber. The appliance can include a transparent, touchscreen display for displaying the interior contents of the cooking appliance to a user without requiring the user to open the cooking appliance, as well as providing for the user controlling, operating, and interacting with the cooking appliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/788,443, filed Jan. 4, 2019, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Household appliances typically have a user interface through which theuser controls the operation of the appliance. A common configuration isto locate the user interface on a front of the appliance, such as on oradjacent a door. The door can also include a window providing the userwith a view of the interior of the appliance without having to open thedoor. In a more recent configuration, the user interface is atransparent, touch screen overlying the window. The transparent, touchscreen can be displayed on all or part of the window when being used andthen disappear when not, leaving the entire window for viewing.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a cooking appliance comprising:a chassis defining a cooking chamber and having an access opening; aheating element located within the chassis; a door pivotably mounted tothe chassis including a window for viewing the cooking chamber throughthe door, and the door being movable between a closed position to closethe access opening and an opened position to open the access opening; atransparent, touchscreen display provided on the door; a first cameramounted to the chassis for imaging the cooking chamber interior of thechassis and configured to generate a first signal representative animage of a food item contained within the cooking chamber for display onthe transparent, touchscreen display; a second camera provided on thechassis for imaging the surrounding environment of the cooking applianceand configured to determine a position and movement of a user andgenerate a second signal representative of the position and movement ofthe user; and a controller communicatively and operably coupled to thetransparent, touchscreen display, the first camera, and the secondcamera, and configured to receive the first signal and the secondsignal, and display the image of a food item contained within thecooking chamber on the transparent, touchscreen display as an augmentedimage of the food item that is adjustable based upon the position andmovement of the user as determined by the second signal.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a cooking appliancecomprising: a chassis defining a cooking chamber and having an accessopening; a heating element located within the chassis; a door pivotablymounted to the chassis movable between a closed position to close theaccess opening and an opened position to open the access opening; atransparent, touchscreen display provided on the door; an exteriorcamera provided on the chassis for imaging the surrounding environmentof the cooking appliance and configured to determine a position andmovement of a user; and a controller communicatively and operablycoupled to the transparent, touchscreen display and the exterior camerato receive a signal from the exterior camera; wherein the opacity of thetransparent, touchscreen display is adjusted based upon the position andmovement of the user.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of displayingan image of a food item on a transparent, touchscreen display for acooking appliance including a cooking chamber, the method comprising:imaging a food item within the cooking chamber with an interior camera;and displaying an image of the food item on the transparent, touchscreendisplay based upon the imaging of the food item by the interior camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oven with a transparent, touchscreenuser interface on a door of the oven, with the door in an open position.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the oven of FIG. 1 withthe door in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electronics system utilized in the ovenof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the oven of FIG. 1 with racks providedin the oven.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the oven of FIG. 1 with a doorgasket.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the door of FIG. 5 in the closed positionshowing a light strip within the gasket.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a two-part door for an oven including atransparent, touchscreen user interface.

FIG. 8 is a front view of one part of the two-part door of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the two-part door of FIG. 7 including aninternal door light for lighting the user interface.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an alternative part of the two-part door ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a door display component for use with a doorfor an oven, for selectively displaying a user interface or the interiorof the oven.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the door display component of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a door assembly incorporating the doordisplay component of FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 14 is a front view of another oven with a transparent, touchscreenuser interface with a camera on a front panel of the oven.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a user and the oven of FIG. 14 illustrating afirst position of a food item within the oven on the user interfacebased upon a position of the user.

FIG. 16 is another front view of the user and oven of FIG. 14, with thefood item illustrated on the user interface from an alternativeperspective, adjusting for parallax based upon position of the user.

FIG. 17 is another front view of a user that moves laterally to view afood item in the oven of FIG. 14 and the parallax adjustment for thefood item on the user interface based upon the user position.

FIG. 18 is a front view of another oven with a transparent, touchscreenuser interface with a depiction of a food item within the oven presentedon the user interface in a first position.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the oven of FIG. 18 with the food itempresented on a different portion of the user interface.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the oven of FIG. 18 showing an enlargedtransparent portion for the user interface.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the oven of FIG. 18 with an opaque userinterface.

FIG. 22 is a front view of the oven of FIG. 18 with the door in anopened position showing a vertically flipped user interface.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the oven of FIG. 18 with a sideways openingdoor, with a horizontally flipped user interface.

FIG. 24 is a front view of another oven with a transparent, touchscreendisplay illustrating a guide on where to place a rack in the oven.

FIG. 25 is a front view of another oven with a transparent, touchscreendisplay illustrating an alternative position for a food item within theoven to prevent an obscured view of a camera.

FIG. 26 is a front view of another oven with a transparent, touchscreendisplay illustrating an optimal position to insert a probe into a fooditem.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the oven of FIG. 26 illustrating analternative position for the food probe already inserted into the fooditem.

FIG. 28 is a front view of a user interface for a transparent,touchscreen display on an oven showing meal coordination for multipledifferent food items.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the user interface of FIG. 28 showing cookingmultiple food items and coordination of the multiple food items.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of an oven with a transparent, touchscreendisplay and a mobile device displaying a view of the oven.

FIG. 31 is a front view of another oven with a transparent, touchscreendisplay illustrating touch gestures on the display.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to household appliances having a transparent,touch screen user interface overlaying a window of the appliance. Thewindow, while illustrated on a door, can be located on other areas ofthe appliance. While the disclosure is written in the context of an ovenwith a door having a window and the transparent, touch screen userinterface on the window, the disclosure is applicable to any type ofappliance with a window, including, without limitation, a refrigerator,microwave, toaster oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer.

Referring to FIG. 1, a household cooking appliance is shown in the formof an oven 10 and can be used for cooking one or more food items. Theoven 10 can include an outer chassis 12 including a top wall 14, abottom wall 16, opposing sidewalls 18, and a rear wall 20 to define aninterior 22 forming a cooking chamber for the oven 10. An access opening24 is provided opposite the rear wall 20 for accessing the interior 22.A door 30 can be pivotably mounted to the chassis 12 at the bottom wall16, pivotable between an open position (FIG. 1) providing access to theinterior 22 at the access opening 24 and a closed position (FIG. 2),closing the interior 22 at the access opening 24. A gasket 28 can beprovided on the edges of the top wall 14, the bottom wall 16, and thesidewalls 18 for sealing the interior 22 at the door 30 when the door 30is in the closed position. A handle 26 can be provided on the door 30for selectively moving the door 30 between the opened position and theclosed position. A front panel 29 is provided on the chassis 12 abovethe access opening 24. Additionally, a mask 31 is at least partiallyprovided on the front panel 29, while the mask 31 extends onto the frontof the door 30 (best seen in FIG. 2). The mask 31 can be opaque,preventing a user viewing portions of the oven 10 through the mask 31.

A first camera 32, schematically illustrated in broken line and shown intwo alternative positions, can be provided on the top wall 14 forviewing the interior 22 of the oven 10, while any position for thecamera to view the interior 22 is contemplated. The first position forthe first camera 32 is in the center of the top wall 14. While thecamera 32 is shown as centrally provided on the top wall 14, it iscontemplated that the camera 32 can be provided at any position suitablefor viewing the interior of the oven 10. In the second alternateposition, the camera 32 is provided at the front-right portion of theoven, when viewed from the front. It should be appreciated that multipledifferent positions for the interior camera 32 are contemplated, andthat the two positions are shown to illustrate the variability ofpositioning the first camera 32. Additionally, multiple interior cameras32 are contemplated to record and generate a three-dimensional image ofa food item within the oven based upon the different recorded anglesfrom the multiple cameras.

The camera 32 can provide for imaging and recognizing a food item thatis provided within the oven 10, or generating an image of a food itemcontained within the interior 22. More specifically, the camera 32 cangenerate a signal representing an image or video, which can be providedto a controller for interpreting the signal. In one example, the oven 10can automatically cook the food item based upon recognition of the fooditem and monitoring throughout the cooking process. Alternatively, thecamera 32 can be used to image the food item for monitoring by the uservia a display, without requiring the user to open the oven 10 to inspectthe food item as it cooks. Further still, the camera 32 can include azoom feature, as well as digital zoom or panning within range of thecamera 32, to permit closer inspection of different portions of the fooditem. In one example, the camera 32 can record images at a qualitysuitable for high definition reproduction at a 1920×1080 screenresolution, while other resolutions or qualities are contemplated. Whiledescribed as a camera, any suitable sensor for imaging or recording theinterior 22 or portions in front of the oven 10 is contemplated, such asa thermo-imaging sensor, for example.

Additionally, a second camera 38 can be provided on the front panel 29for viewing the area in front of the oven 10, such as a user using theoven 10. The second camera 38 can be programmed to identify a user, suchas facial recognition, or to focus on the eyes of a user or a positionthereof to track where the user is looking at the oven 10. Morespecifically, the camera 32 can generate a signal representing an imageor video, which can be provided to a controller for interpreting thesignal. Such a signal can be interpreted to determine a user's face,such as by using facial recognition software or eye identificationsoftware. Additionally, one or more users can be stored in a controller,such that the oven 10 can recognize a particular user based upon thefacial or eye recognition. Furthermore, the second camera 38 canutilizing image analysis to determine height, sideways position of theuser, as well as depth from the oven 10, such that the camera 38 can beused to detect at least two or up to three axes to accurately determinea user's position or movement. For example, the second camera 38 can beused to determine a lateral or side-to-die movement of the user.Additionally, the second camera 38 can be used to determine a distanceof the user from the oven 10.

A set of rails 34 are provided on the sidewalls 18 for mounting one ormore racks (FIG. 4) in the interior 22. While only one set of rails 34are shown, it should be understood that a complementary set of rails areprovided on the other sidewall 18, obscured by the perspective view ofFIG. 1. Furthermore, while only two rails 34 are shown, any number ofrails is contemplated.

An optional set of vents 36 can be provided on the rear wall 20 facingthe interior 22 for passing a volume of air into or out of the interior22, such as for circulating a flow of heated air to provide for aconvection cycle for the oven 10. The vents 36 can include one or moreopenings into the interior 22, while the particular louvers or coverscan be formed in a way to hide the openings from view from the front.More specifically, the openings of the vents 36 can face the bottom wall16, for example. Alternatively, the rear wall 20 can have no visiblestructure, and can include a flat back panel.

Furthermore, additional elements or components can be provided in theinterior of the oven 10, such as a sensor 58, a heating element 54, anda fan 56. The sensor 58 need not be a single sensor 58, but can bemultiple different sensors for making measurements of the interior ofthe oven 10. Exemplary sensors can include but are not limited to atemperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a food temperature probe, or arack sensor. The heating element 54 can be a gas heater or an electricheater, for example.

Lights 40 are provided on the top wall 14 for illuminating the interior22 of the oven 10. While shown as positioned in the top wall 14 near thefront of the oven 10, the lights can be positioned anywhere to suitablyilluminate the interior 22 of the oven as well as the door 30 when inthe closed position. The lights 40 can also be used to illuminate thedoor 30 and a display 48 on the door 30. In one example, the lights 40can be used to passively light the door 30 and display 48, effectivelylighting the display 48 via ambient light reflected about the interior22 of the oven. In another example, the lights 40 can actively light thedoor 30 and the display 48, with the lights 40 being dedicated tolighting the display 48 and directing light toward the display 48.Furthermore, the lights 40 can be tailored to either the door 30 or thecamera 38, or both. More specifically, the lights 40 can be tailored toilluminate the door 30 or the display thereon, including a transparent,touchscreen display, discussed in detail herein. Additionally, thelights 40 can be tailored to the camera 38, such as being an ultravioletlight when the camera 38 is an ultraviolet imaging camera.

A display 48 including a user interface 50 is provided on the door 30.The display 48 can be a transparent, touchscreen display, permitting auser to selectively view the interior of the oven 10 based upon theimaging provided on the current user interface 50. In one example, thedisplay can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), and can be self-lit orbacklit. Alternatively, the display can be a light emitting diode (LED)display that can be self-lit, such as using organic LEDs or activematrix, organic LEDs, for example. Additionally, the user interface 50can provide for control and operation of the oven 10, as well asfacilitating use of the appliance through user interaction with the userinterface 50. More specifically, the user interface can include aninteractive interface, such as a software program shown on the display48. The user can interact with the user interface 50 by touching orotherwise manipulating the user interface 50. Such interaction with theuser interface 50 can be used by the user to control operation of theoven 10, as well as facilitate use of the oven 10. For example, the userinterface can provide information to the user related to operation ofthe oven 10, or other relevant information such as recipe information orother cooking-related information.

Referring to FIG. 2, the door 30 is shown in the closed position,sealing the interior 22 of the oven 10, with a system provided on theuser interface 50 permitting a user to interact with the oven 10. Theuser interface 50 and system thereon as shown is exemplary, and shouldnot be limiting of the oven 10.

A controller 52 can be provided within the oven 10 for controllingoperation of the oven 10, as well as sending and receiving informationto the user interface 50 for interaction with the user. The additionalfront, external camera 38 can be provided on the oven 10 for viewing auser interacting with the oven 10, and can be in communication with thecontroller 52.

When the door 30 is in the closed position, the user interface 50 can beoperational and illuminated, permitting interaction by the user.Alternatively, the user interface 50 can be operated by a timer when theoven is not in use, but the door is in the closed position, turning offthe display 48 when not in use. Furthermore, when the door 30 is in theopened position, the display 48 can be turned off, as the user will notbe able to view the display 48 with the door opened. The user interface50 can further display an image of a food item contained within theinterior 22. The image can be an augmented image, for example, or can begenerated as a three-dimensional image of the food item.

While the interior 22 is currently visible through a transparent portionof the user interface 50, it is further contemplated that the portion ofthe user interface 50, as shown, can include an augmented reality imageof a food item being cooked or to be cooked. In one example, a user canselect a desired food item to be cooked, and the user interface 50 canprovide a virtual or augmented three-dimensional image of the finalresult, or preview the final cooking result along the cooking process.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the controller 52 coupled to the variouscomponents of the oven 10. The controller 52 can be operably andcommunicably coupled to components of the oven 10 such as the heatingelement 54, the fan 56 that can be incorporated near or behind the vents36, the sensor 58, the user interface 50, the cameras 32, 38, and thedisplay 48 to either control these components and/or receive their inputfor use in controlling the components.

The controller 52 can implement a heating cycle selected by the useraccording to any options selected by the user and provide relatedinformation to the user. The controller 52 can also include a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 62 and an associated memory 64 where variousoperational procedures may be stored. One or more software applications,such as an arrangement of executable commands/instructions may be storedin the memory 64 and executed by the CPU 62 to implement the operationalprocedures. The controller 52 can be in communication with the cameras32, 38 that the images can be output by the cameras 32, 38 and input tothe controller 52. The controller 52 can output the images to thedisplay 48 or another display, such as a mobile device display in orderfor a user to remotely monitor the contents being cooked. It is alsocontemplated that the cameras 32, 38 can also include a separatecontroller 43, CPU 44, and memory 45 dedicated to the cameras 32, 38, aswell as the display 48. The controller 52 can be in communication with anetwork 66, such as the internet. The network 66 can include wired,wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless points or nodes toconnect communication paths for exchanging and transporting data. Thus,the images from the camera 38 can be sent to a mobile device via thenetwork 66 from the controller 52. The cameras 32, 38 can be directlycoupled to the controller 52 or indirectly coupled to the controller 52via the network 66.

The cameras 32, 38 or controller 52 can include an image recognitionalgorithm that can be implemented as a program in the controller 52 formeasuring or recording items within the oven 10 and interpretinginformation related to such items, such as size, type, or position. Theimage recognition algorithm can also decide to discard images such asblurry images that are output by the camera 38 or provide unsuitabledata as requested by the controller 52.

Referring to FIG. 4, the oven 10 can include one or more racks 70, shownas two exemplary racks 70. The racks 70, as well as the rest of theinterior surfaces of the oven 10 facing the interior 22 can be coloredor coated to have a color that will reduce, minimize, or eliminatevisual interference with the transparent, touchscreen display 48. In oneexample, the interior 22 and the racks 70 can be white or an off-white,such as a cream color, and made of a ceramic material or porcelainmaterial to withstand the higher temperatures of the oven 10.Furthermore, additional paneling or cladding can be provide along theinterior of the oven 10, forming or overlying the interior walls havingthe coloring or coating to backlight the display and minimize visualinterference. As the display 48 is the transparent, touchscreen display,it should be understood that different interior colorations and fooditems can interfere with or obscure the transparent user interface 50,and particular color schemes can be utilized to minimize, reduce, oreliminate any potential interference when viewing the user interface 50with the door 30 in the closed position. Alternatively, it iscontemplated that the interior 22 can include a particular pattern,which can be used by the camera 32 and the controller 52 to distinguishportions of the oven from food items, to defining a portion of a foodrecognition system.

The internal camera 32 can also be used to detect the racks 70 or theposition, such as height or level, of the racks 70. Such a determinationcan be used by the oven 10 to recommend a proper cooking position forthe racks 70 to a user.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another exemplary oven 80 is shown, which canbe substantially similar to the oven 10 described in FIGS. 1-4. Alighting gasket 82 is provided around an opening 84 of the oven 80 forsealing an oven door 86 when moved into a closed position. The lightinggasket 82 can provide for illuminating the cooking chamber within theoven 80 to backlight a display 94 on the door 86, or can be used todirectly lighting the display 94. Referring to FIG. 6, showing a sectionview of the door 86 in a closed position, the door 86 is provided in theclosed position and the gasket 82 is sandwiched between the door 86 anda chassis 88. The gasket 82 can be made of a flexible sealing elementcapable of withstanding the heightened temperatures of the oven 80, suchas a Kevlar or a high temperature polymer.

A light 90 can be provided in the lighting gasket 82. The light 90 canbe an elongated light strip, for example, extending along the entiretyof the gasket 82. The light 90 can be used to illuminate and light atransparent, touchscreen display user interface 92 on the door 86 at thedisplay 94. Such a light 90 can provide for suitably illuminating theuser interface 92 without excessively illuminating the remainder of theinterior of the oven 80 or items contained therein, such as a rack orfood items. In this way, the user interface 92 is suitably lit foroperation of the transparent, touchscreen display, without excessivelylighting the interior of the oven 80, which reduces any undesirableinterference with the user interface 92. In this way, the user interface92 is well lit for interaction by a user without visual interference orimpairment from the remainder of the interior of the oven 80.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another alternative oven 100 with achassis 102 defining an access opening 104. A door 106 can be pivotablymounted to the chassis 102, while shown in FIG. 7 exploded from thechassis 102. The door 106 can include an inner frame 108, an inner glass110, an outer frame 96, and outer glass 98, and a transparent touchscreen 94 applied to the outer glass 98. The outer frame 96, outer glass98, and transparent touch screen 94 can form a display 112 including atransparent, touchscreen user interface 114. The inner glass 110 cancouple to the inner frame 108 and the outer glass 98 can couple to theouter frame 96. Furthermore, the outer frame 96 can couple to the innerframe 108 to form the door 106. The inner frame 108 and inner glass 110can separate the display 112 from an interior 118 of the oven 100,shielding the display 112 from the heightened temperatures of the oven100. Additionally, a mask 120 can be provided on the inner frame 108 tohide electrical components connected to the user interface 114 forpowering and communicating with the user interface 114. One or more gaps122 can be formed in the mask 120, shown as an exemplary four gaps 122.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the inner frame 108, having the inner frame108 removed for clarity. A set of lights 124 or illumination elementscan be provided on the inner frame 108 at the gaps 122. The lights 124can be used to backlight-illuminate the display 112 of the outer glass98 and the transparent touch screen 94, without passing the lightthrough the inner glass 110. More specifically, the light emitted fromthe lights 124 can be used to backlight the display 112 without passingthrough the inner glass 110, which can be come dirty through use of theoven, which may obscure the display 112. Electrical connections 126 canbe provided on the inner frame 108 along the mask 120 to hide theelectrical connections 126 from view when the door 106 is in the openedposition. The electrical connections 126 can also be used toelectrically and communicatively couple the display 112 and userinterface 114 of the inner frame 108 to the remainder of the oven 100.

FIG. 9 shows a section view of the door 106, having the inner frame 108coupled to the outer frame 96 with a mount 128. One light 124 is visiblecoupled to the inner frame 108. The light 124 can further include alight module 130, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or other suitablelight source. Additionally, the light 124 can include a heat sink 132and a lens 134. The light 124 can be used to illuminate the display 112and the user interface 114, without excessively lighting the interior ofthe remainder of the oven 100. In this way, the lights 124 can suitablyilluminate the transparent, touchscreen display 112, while reducing orminimizing visual impairment of the display 112 cause by items withinthe interior 118 of the oven 100 or dirt provided on the inner glass110. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a vacuum can be createdbetween the inner frame 108 and the outer frame 96. Such a vacuum canprovide for minimizing heat transfer to the display 112.

In another example, there can be frosting provided on the inner glass110. The frosting can provide for minimizing light passed to theinterior of the oven 100, while sufficiently backlighting the display112. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the display 112 can be atransparent, touchscreen display having transparent LEDs or OLEDs, whichcan provide for direct illumination of the display 112, withoutrequiring suitable backlighting illumination.

In yet another example, an optional light diffuser 139, shown in dashedline, can be provided between the inner frame 108 and the outer frame96. The light diffuser 139 can provide for diffusing light from thelight 124 to the display 112. Additionally, the light diffuser 139 canprovide for hiding the light from view from a user through thetransparent, touchscreen display 112.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative arrangement for the light arrangementwithin the inner frame 108, and is looking at the front side of theinner frame 108, opposite the side facing the interior of the oven. FIG.10 can be substantially similar to FIG. 8, and therefore the samenumerals will be used to describe the same elements, and the discussionwill be limited to the differences between the two. A set of LEDs 136,shown as two LEDs 136, can be provided behind the mask 120, such thatthe mask 120 separates the LEDs from directly lighting the interior ofthe oven, but rather illuminates the door. A light guide 138 can beconnected to the LEDs 136 for spreading light around the door 106 tobacklight illuminate the display 112. The light guides 138 provide forconsistently illuminating the display from the LEDs 136 hidden behindthe mask 120, while minimally lighting the interior of the oven.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary display assembly 400, which can be used asthe display in any appliance, oven, door, or other suitable display itemor any item described herein which can utilize a display. The displayassembly 400 can include a display 402 for displaying a desired image,color, opacity, or combination thereof. For example, the display 402could depict a recipe or a food item requested by a user. In anotherexample, the display 402 could be completely transparent, permitting auser to view the interior of the appliance. Thus, it should beappreciated that the display 402 can provide for displaying anyinformation, or lack thereof, and can be completely or partiallytransparent. The display 402 can also locally or discretely change whatis displayed, and need not be common among the entirety of the display402.

The display 402 can be contained within a frame 404. The frame 404 canbe used to hold the display 402, as well as mount the display 402 to theremainder of the door or appliance to which it attaches. The frame 404can includes a set of extensions 406 having fastener openings 408 formounting the frame 404 to a door or appliance, for example.

A connection assembly 408 can extend from a portion of the frame 404.The connection assembly 408 can include a housing 410, which can containa printed circuit board (PCB) 414 as well as other electricalcomponents. The PCB 414 can be operably coupled to the display 402,providing for controlling operation of the display 402. The PCB 414 canalso provide for electrically and communicatively connecting the displayassembly 400 to the rest of the appliance within which the displayassembly 400 is mounted.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the display assembly 400, betterillustrating the additional components included within the assembly 400.The display assembly 400 includes the display 402 as well as the frame404, but also can include a light source 420, light glass 422, a firstgasket assembly 424, and a second gasket assembly 426.

The frame 404 can be separated into a frame cover 430 and a frame base432, which can collectively adjoin to form the frame 404, and containthe light source 420, the light glass 422, the first gasket 424, and thedisplay 402. In one example, one or more of the extensions 406 can beused to fasten the frame cover 430 to the frame base 432 with one ormore fasteners. The frame 404, as well as the frame cover 430 and theframe base 432, can be made of a material capable of withstanding hightemperatures, such as those more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Suitablematerials can include thermally resistant plastic or Aluminum, while anumber of materials would be suitable.

The light source 420 can be any suitable light source for illuminatingthe light glass 422 and the display 402. In one example, the lightsource 420 can be provided as a pair of light emitting diode (LED)sources, formed as strips. In another example, the light source 420 canbe formed as an LED source provided on an Aluminum substrate. The lightsources 420 are shown as provided on the sides of the light glass 422and the display 402, while any suitable positioning is contemplated.Ideally, the positioning and light source 420 is one that suitablylights the display 402, without providing excessive backlighting, orpreventing or hindering transparency of the display 402 when desired. Itshould be also appreciated that the LED orientation and placement canhave an impact on display quality of the display 402. Therefore, whilethe exploded view shows that the light sources 420 are provided as apair of LEDs on strips, it is also contemplated that the light sources420 can be arranged on any one or more of either lateral side, the top,the bottom, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the LEDs can havea power between 1200 lumen to 3600 lumen, while other powers arecontemplated.

The light sources 420 can be electrically and operably coupled to thePCB 414 for powering and controlling operation of the light sources 420.For example, electrical connections can connect the light sources 420 tothe PCB 414, which can be hidden within the frame 404 when the assemblyis completed. The PCB 414 or components thereof can control the powerprovided to one or more of the light sources 420, which can be varied tochange the level of transparency or opacity for the display 402.

The light glass 422 provides for backlighting the display 402 with thelight source 420. The light glass 422 can be thin, having a thicknessbetween two millimeters (mm) and six mm. It should be appreciated thatgreater or lesser thicknesses may be used, but can have an impact ondisplay quality the further the thickness varies from between two mm tosix mm. For example, variation from the 2 mm-6 mm range may have anegative impact on the transparency or display quality for the displayassembly 400.

The first gasket assembly 424 can be provided between the light glass422 and the display 402. The first gasket assembly 424 is formed as acombination of individual gaskets, providing space for portions of theconnection assembly 408 mounted to the display 402. The first gasketassembly 424 provides for sealing the spaced between the display 402 andthe light glass 422, preventing dust or other matter from enteringbetween the two, which could otherwise distort or tarnish the display402.

The second gasket assembly 426 can be provided between the frame 402 anda touch panel 444 (not shown in FIG. 12, see FIG. 13). The second gasketassembly 426 can serve a purpose similar to that of the first gasketassembly 424, except that the second gasket assembly 426 seals theopposite side of the display 402 which is adjacent the touch panel 444.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of a door assembly 440, incorporating thedisplay assembly 400 of FIGS. 11-12. The door assembly 440 includes afront door structure 442 that can include a touch panel 444 forming thefront glass of the door structure 442. Additionally, one or morecomponents can be included with the front door structure 442. While onlya PCB 446 is shown, any suitable controller can be utilized to transmitinformation from the touch panel 444 to the remainder of the doorassembly 440. The display assembly 400 can couple to the front doorstructure 442, such that the touch panel 444 is provided in front of thedisplay 402, such that the user can interact with the display 402 viatouching the touch panel 444, while not directly interacting with thedisplay 402. In this way, the display 402 can be protected to resist orminimize potential damage, as well as improve overall lifetime.

The door assembly 440 further includes a thermal cover assembly 448,which can include a thermal glass 450 mounted between a pair of framerails 452. The thermal cover assembly 448 can be transparent, permittingviewing into the interior of the appliance to which the door assembly440 mounts. The thermal cover assembly 448 provides at least somethermal protection for the display assembly 400, such that heightenedtemperatures do not negatively impact operation of the display assembly400, and that the touch panel 444 does not excessively heat.

An inner glass door assembly 460 is provided at the interior-mostportion of the door assembly 440, relative to an interior of theappliance upon which the door assembly 400 is mounted. The inner glassassembly 460 is the first shield against the heated environment interiorof the appliance, and should be made of a material capable ofwithstanding heightened temperatures, such as those during operation ofan oven, for example.

A pair of rail covers 462 are provided for securing the door assembly440 together at the sides. Additionally, a top rail 464 can be providedwith the inner glass door assembly 460, which can be used to secure andcover the door assembly 440 at the top and adjoin to the rail covers462.

The door assembly 440, as well as the display assembly 400 containedtherein, provides for a touch-enabled door assembly with a display,permitting the user to interact with the appliance to which the doorassembly 440 attaches. Additionally, the display assembly 400 providesfor a determinative transparency or opacity for the display 402,permitting the user to view the user interface on the display 402, orview the interior of the appliance through the display 402.Additionally, the door assembly 440 provides for integrating the userinterface into the door of the appliance, while utilizing a userinterface that can be selectively shown or transparent on the door.Furthermore, the door assembly 440 including the thermal glass 450provides for suitable temperature distribution to prevent overheating ordamage of the display assembly 400.

FIG. 14 shows a front perspective view of another exemplary oven 140.The oven 140 includes a chassis 142 to define an interior 144. A door146 can move between an opened position and a closed position, as shown,selectively opening and closing the interior 144. The door 146 furtherincludes a display 148 with a transparent, touchscreen user interface150. The chassis 142 further includes an upper panel 152 positionedabove the door 146.

A camera 154 is provided on the upper panel 152 and faces outwardlytowards a user using the user interface 150. The camera 154 can be usedby the user to interact with the oven 140 and the user interface 150, aswell as facilitating use of the user interface 150. In this way, thecamera 154 can complement use of the transparent, touchscreen display148. While the camera 154 is shown on the upper panel 152, otherpositions are contemplated for the upper panel 152. Non-limitingexamples can include the bottom of the user interface, or below thehandle on the door.

FIG. 15 includes a user 156 viewing the oven 140, and the camera 154 cansense, record, or otherwise image the user viewing the over 140.Additionally, a separate camera 160 can be provided on the oven 140 forimaging the interior of the oven 140, such as imaging a food itemcontained therein. The user interface 150 depicts a food item 158contained within the oven 140. It should be appreciated that the fooditem 158 is both contained in the oven 140, at least partially hiddenfrom view through the transparent, touchscreen display 148, anddisplayed as an image on the display 148. The image of the food item 158can be a three-dimensional representation of an actual food item, imagedby the camera 160 viewing the interior of the oven 140. In one example,the camera 160 can identify the food item contained within the oven 140,generating its own three-dimensional image of the food item.Alternatively, it is contemplated that the user can input the particularfood item, which can be provided to the oven 140, such as from adatabase. Using the identification of the food item within the oven, thedisplay 148 can generate an image of the food item.

As the user 156 is positioned on the left side of the oven 140, thecamera 154 on the upper panel 152 can take an image and record aposition of the user 156. The image of the food item 158 presented onthe display 148 can be shown from the left side, as imaged by theinterior camera 160, reflecting the proper vantage for the user for avirtual representation of the food item 158.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the user 156 is now moved to the right side ofthe oven 140. The changed position of the user 156 can be measured andrecorded by the camera 154 on the upper panel 152. Based upon theright-side position of the user 156, the three-dimensionalrepresentation of the food item 158 has now been virtually rotated toproperly reflect the vantage point of the user 156, which can berecorded and generated by the camera 160 viewing the interior of theoven 140.

Therefore, it should be appreciated that the camera 154 on the upperpanel 152 can be used to determine a local position of the user 156relative to the oven 140. Such a measurement can be used to record afood item within the oven 140 and generate a three-dimensionalrepresentation on the display 148 reflective of the position of the user156. In this way, the image provided on the display 148 can provide forthe user viewing the food item within the oven 140, which may otherwisebecome obscured by the transparent, touchscreen display 148.Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the generated image of thefood item 158 can be rotatable as a three-dimensional representation,based upon position or movement of the user to adjust for the parallaximaging of the food item within the oven 140. Such an image recorded bythe camera 160 and provided to the display 148 can be done in real timebased upon movement and location of the user recorded by the camera 154.Additionally, the user need not change the position of where they arestanding, but the camera 154 can detect a user's eyes or face and canrotate the image of the food item based upon head or eye movement of theuser alone. Facial recognition software or eye tracking software can beused by the camera 154 to adjust for the parallax imaging of the fooditem in real time.

In one example, the camera 154 can focus on the user's eyes to track theposition of the user 156. More specifically, the camera 154 can includeor be operably coupled to a processor including an eye-trackingalgorithm to identify and track the position of the user's eyes via thecamera 154. As the user 156 moves, the camera 154 can track the positionof the user 156 based upon the movement of the user's eyes. As the usermoves laterally or side-to-side, the camera 154 can track the user'seyes and rotate the displayed image of the food item 158 to adjust forparallax of the image based upon the position of the user 156. Inanother example, the camera 154 can use facial recognition software todetermine the position and distance of the user from the oven 140.Generally, it should be appreciated that the camera 154 can be used torecord or image a user, and software in the controller can utilize theimage to real-time determine the position and movement of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an alternative representation for the parallaxcompensation for the oven 140 is shown, to facilitate understanding ofthe concept. As the user 156 moves left or right, depicted by arrows andbroken lines for the user 156, the front camera 154 can record and imagethe movement of the user 156. The oven 140 can provide for displayingthe food item 158 in a rotated, three-dimensional position, based uponthe position of the user, to adjust for parallax. In this way, the user156 is permitted to view the sides of the food item 158 as well, andinspect how the cooking process is going without opening the oven 140 toinspect the food item 158.

It should be appreciated that the image of the food item 158 can beadjusted based upon the position of the user. For example, the lateralposition of the user moving side-to-side or left-to-right can rotate,move, or augment the image of the food item 158 so the user can inspectdifferent portions of the food item based upon the movement of the useras measured by the camera 154. In another example, the image of the fooditem 158 can be sized based upon a distance of the user from the oven140 as measured by the camera 154. As the user moves closer to the oven140, the image can be enlarged to facilitate inspection of the food item158, while the food item can become smaller or shrink as the user movesaway from the oven 140.

Referring to FIG. 18, another exemplary oven 180 includes a chassis 182defining an interior 184. A door 186 is movable between and openedposition and a closed position, as shown, selectively providing accessto the interior 184. A transparent, touchscreen display user interface188 is provided on the door 186, with the user interface 188 permittinga user to interact with and operate the oven 180.

The user interface 188 can include a control portion 190 and a viewingportion 192. The control portion 190 can include one or more elementsfacilitating interaction with and control of the oven 180. Exemplaryelements can include touch buttons 191, an information pane 194, a timer196, as well as other operation controls for the oven 180. The viewingportion 192 can provide for viewing a food item 198 within the oven 180.In one example, the viewing portion 192 can be transparent, permittingviewing of the food item 198 within the oven 180 via the transparentdisplay user interface 188. Alternatively, the viewing portion 192 cangenerate an image of the food item 198, as recorded by an interiorcamera 200 imaging the food item 198. Furthermore, it is contemplatedthat the user interface 188 can show a time-lapsed video of the food, oras a series of images, to illustrate how the food has changed over timeas it is cooked.

Referring to FIG. 19, the positions of the control portion 190 and theviewing portion 192 have been switched as compared with that of FIG. 18.The switched position of the portions 190, 192 provides for viewing thefood item 198 from an alternative position. Such a position for thecontrol portion 190 and the viewing portion 192 can be determined, forexample, by a position of a user. The position of the user can bemeasured by a second camera 202 provided on the front of the oven 180.The oven 180 can vary the position of the control portion 190 and theviewing portion 192, based upon the position of the user to facilitateviewing of the food item 198. Furthermore, the image of the food item198 presented on the viewing portion 192 can be rotatable, similar tothat described in FIGS. 15-16, adjusting for the parallax as the userviews the food item 198 being represented in the differing positions ofthe viewing portion 192.

Referring to FIG. 20 shows the oven 180 with the user interface 188 asfully or near-fully transparent, providing for viewing the food item 198within the interior of the oven 180 through the user interface 188.Alternatively, it is contemplated that the user interface 188 can befully covering the display on the door 186, displaying a virtual realityor augmented reality image of the food item 198 on the full userinterface 188.

Referring to FIG. 21, the user interface 188 on the oven 180 can bewholly opaque, as controlled by the user interface 188. The opaque userinterface 188 can hide the interior of the oven 180, providing for anappealing user aesthetic when the oven is not in use or in the middle ofoperation when inspection by the user is not needed. In one example, thecamera 202 can be used to detect the user having a distance from theoven 180. The opacity for the user interface 188 can be adjusted basedupon the distance of the user as measured by the camera 202. Forexample, as the user moves nearer to the oven 180, the opacity candecrease. As the user moves further from the oven 180, the opacity canincrease. Such a variable opacity can provide for a desirable aestheticwhile the user is not interacting with the oven 180, but can activate asthe user nears the oven 180, enabling interaction with the oven 180 asthe user approaches the oven 180. As the user nears the oven 180 and theopacity decreases, the transparent portion of the user interface canprovide a view of the interior of the oven 180, or the control portionof the user interface can become visible, such as those described inFIGS. 18 and 19.

Regarding FIGS. 18-21, it should be appreciated that the user interface188 provides for multiple operational modes for the oven 180.Specifically, an opaque mode, shown in FIG. 21, a transparent mode,shown in FIG. 20, and a mixed mode, shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, can beutilized by the oven 180 to provide a variable set of user experiencesthrough variation with the user interface 188. The opaque mode canprovide for hiding the interior and providing an aesthetic appearancewhen the oven 180 is not in use. The transparent mode can provide atransparent window for the entirety of the user interface 188,permitting a full view of the interior of the oven, or a full augmentedreality view. Finally, the mixed mode can provide for presenting both auser interface 188 that the user can interact with to control the oven,as well as a transparent portion for viewing the interior of the oven180. Furthermore, the user can arrange the user interfaced 188 in themixed mode, such as with a drag-and-drop format, and can move particularitems to facilitate use or viewing of the interior of the oven 180, suchas that illustrated among FIGS. 18 and 19.

Referring now to FIG. 22, oven 180 of FIGS. 18-21 is shown in the openedposition, with the door 186 pivoted downward. The user interface 188 isvisible through the transparent, touchscreen display. It should beappreciated that the user interface 188 can be flipped vertically. Inthis way, the user interface 188 that would be upside-down in the openedposition is now oriented upright, permitting the user to view the userinterface 188 when the door 186 is opened. It is further contemplatedthat it is possible to have a second touch surface permitting the userto interact with the user interface 188 in the opened position on theinterior of the door 186.

Referring now to FIG. 23, which can be substantially similar to FIG. 22,shows a door 186 b in the opened position that can opened in a sidewaysor side-to-side manner, pivoting about the chassis 182 b along asidewall. The user interface 188 b can be flipped horizontally, suchthat the user interacting with the oven 180 b can properly view theinformation displayed on the user interface 188 b through thetransparent display. Additionally, it is contemplated that the door mayhave a second touch surface to interact with the door on the interior ofthe door 186 b.

Referring to FIG. 24, another exemplary oven 220 is shown including achassis 222 with a door 224. A transparent, touchscreen display 226 isprovided on the door 224 for viewing the interior of the oven 220 andinteracting with and controlling the oven 220. A camera 228 can beprovided on the chassis 222 for viewing and imaging the interior of theoven 220. The camera 228 can be used to determine a position of a rack230 provided within the oven 220. The display 226 can display arepresentation of the rack 230 at the current position. Additionally,the display 226 can display a suggested position for the rack 232. Sucha suggested position can be based on a current food item 234, such as apie as shown. For example, a food item 234 provided to near or far fromthe center of the oven can provide or increased cooking near the centerof the oven and decreased cooking further from the center of the oven,resulting in an uneven cook of the food item 234. In another example, apie closer to the bottom of the oven will brown the bottom of the piefaster from the radiant heat, while a position closer to the top canbrown the top faster. Where an optimal cooking position for the fooditem 234 is at a position different than that of the current position ofthe rack 230, the display 226 can present a virtual optimal position forcooking the item via the suggested position for the rack 232, depictedwith virtual arrows 236 suggesting moving the rack to another position.Additionally, it is contemplated that a position of the food item at thecorrect height can be displayed on the display 226, and the user canadjust the height of the rack to arrange the food item 234 at thecorrect height based upon the image on the display 226. Therefore, thetransparent, touchscreen display 226 can work in concert with the camera228 to determine the current position and suggest another position for arack 230. In this way, the oven 220 can provide for optimizing cookingof the food item 234 by suggesting a different cooking position.

Referring to FIG. 25, the oven 220 can also use the camera 228 todetermine a position of the food item 234 within the oven 220. Thedisplay 226 can be used to suggest a different cooking position for thefood item 234, in order to prevent obscuring of a second food item 248.As shown, the food item 234 is provided toward a right side of the oven220 on a top rack 230. The camera 228 is at least partially obscuredfrom viewing the second food item 248. The display 226 can suggest analternate cooking position, represented in broken line as a suggestedposition 238 by an arrow 240, in order to view and image both food itemswithin the oven 180, so a user can inspect either food item within theoven without requiring opening of the oven door 224.

Therefore, the oven 220 can use the camera 228 to determine a positionof a food item 234 and suggest an alternative position 238. Such arecommendation can alternatively provide for an alternative optimalcooking position, providing for even cooking of the food item, which canimprove a user experience with the oven 220.

Referring now to FIG. 26, the oven 220 can further suggest an optimalposition for a food probe 242. For example, the food item 234 is shownas a turkey, which can cook unevenly. Inserting the food probe 242 intothe turkey as an optimal position 244 can ensure that the food item 234is fully cooked before removal. The optimal position 244, showing theprobe in broken line, can be represented on the display 226. In FIG. 27,the food probe 242 can be shown on the display, while the food item 234is visible to a user through a transparent portion of the transparentdisplay 226. Such a representation facilitates proper positioning of thefood probe by the user to ensure proper cooking of the food item 234after the food probe has been inserted.

The camera 228 can also image and determine a current position of theprobe 242 within the food item 234. The display 226 can display analternative food probe position 246, which can be an optimal positionfor the food probe 242. This ensures proper cooking of the food item 234via temperature measurements by the probe 242. In this way, the oven 220can provide for improved cooking of a food item 234, resulting in abetter user experience with the oven.

Referring to FIG. 28, an example user interface 260 for an oven 262 canbe provided on a transparent, touchscreen display 264. The userinterface 260 includes one or more elements, which can be displayed to auser or can be interacted with by a user. The elements include a menubar 266, an items number bar 268, and a list of items 270. The menu bar266 can be used with the user interface 260 to select the current formatof the user interface 260, shown as a meal coordination display. Thelist of items 270 can include a drop-down menu or an interactive featurepermitting a user to enter the particular food items to be cooked. Inone example, selecting the items 270 can open a keyboard for a user toenter the particular food item. Additionally, the list of items 270 caneach include a cook time 272 and a cook temperature 274. The cook time272 and cook temperature 274 can be input by the user as optimal cookinginformation particular to the food item. In another example, the oven262 can import optimal cook times and temperatures for the particularfood items, such as from a database connected to the oven 262.

As shown, a first item 276 has a cook time 278 of twenty-two minutes, ata cook temperature 280 of 350-degrees. A second item 282 has a cook time284 of 9 minutes and a cook temperature 286 of 375-degrees. A third item288 has a cook time 290 of thirteen minutes and a cook temperature 292of 325-degrees. The user interface 260 can provide for coordinatingcooking all three items 276, 282, 288 within the same oven, to provideoptimal cooking for multiple items at differing cook times andtemperatures. Each cook time and temperature can be input by the user,while it is also contemplated that the oven 262 can retrieve the cooktimes and temperatures from a remote database, such as over theinternet. Furthermore, while not depicted, the oven 262 can suggestoptimal cook positions for each food item, similar to that as describedin FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 29, after the cooking coordination has been entered bythe user, as shown in FIG. 28, the display 264 can depict informationrelated to the coordination of multiple food elements, as well asproviding a transparent portion 294 for viewing the food items 276, 288.The display 264 can include an information panel 296 showing the statusof the multiple food items 276, 282, 288. As can be appreciated thefirst item 276 had the longest cook time, the second item 282 has thesecond longest cook time, and the third item 288 has the shortest time.The first item 276 has been placed in the oven 262 and is cooking. Thecooking temperature for the oven 262 can be an optimal temperature forcooking the multiple items, shown as 350-degrees as the average cooktemperature for all items. Additionally, the cook times for each itemcan be adjusted based upon the change in cook time to ensure propercooking of the items among a range of temperatures.

The first item 276 can include a status bar 298 as well as a time 300,showing the current completion of the first item 276. Similarly, thesecond item 282 can include a status bar 302 and a time 304. Finally, asthe third item 288 has not yet been placed in the oven, but can stillinclude a status bar 306 as well as a timer indicating how much timeuntil it is to be placed in the oven 262. Additionally, the system canbe programmed to detect when the oven is or has been opened, and canupdated the current cook times based upon detection of a new food itembeing placed in the oven with the interior camera, or strictly basedupon opening or closing of the oven. Furthermore, the oven 262 cansuggest a particular position for each food item within the oven 262 inorder to provide the best cooking position for each individual fooditem. In one example, the oven 262 can suggest moving one food item asadditional food items are added.

Therefore, it should be appreciated that the user can enter basiccooking information such as cook times and temperatures, and the userinterface 260 can provide for automatically coordinating cooking of themultiple items to ensure optimal cooking of multiple items within thesingle oven 262. Similarly, it is contemplated that the user interface260 can instruct the user of the optimal cooking positions, which maychange as more cooking items are added or removed. Furthermore, it iscontemplated that the oven can consider rest times for food items, whichmay need to rest after cooking, while additional items continue to cook.This can ensure that all items are optimally cooked, and that a fullmeal with multiple items can be completed at the same time, utilizingthe single oven 262.

Referring to FIG. 30, another exemplary oven 330 leverages a camera 332to intelligently push an image 334 of a food item 336 to a user's mobiledevice 338 or an oven's display 340, such as a transparent, touchscreendisplay, at one or more event-triggered intervals 342. Event-triggeredintervals 342 can include event triggers such as time-based intervals342 a, temperature-based intervals 342 b, “doneness” based intervals 342c, cooking cycle events 342 d, or other intervals that can occur duringthe cooking process. At the event-triggered interval 342, an oven'selectronic system 344 pushes the image 334 of the food item 336 over anetwork 350 to the user's mobile device 338 such as a smart phone ortablet or to the oven's display 340 thereby allowing the user tovisually inspect the food items' 336 current status.

Additionally, it is contemplated that the oven 330, or any ovendescribed herein, can be in communication with a recipe database or afood identification database, or both, or any other database for sendingor retrieving information related to the oven 330 or operation thereof.The recipe database can be integrated with a user interface 352 providedon the display 340 to display a recipe or portions thereof to the user,guiding through the preparing and cooking of a food item or an entiremeal. Additionally, it is contemplated that the oven 330 can be incommunication with a food ordering or delivery service to deliveringredients of the recipe to the user, controlled at the user interface352. The food identification database can be incorporated through imagestaken at the camera 332, where such recorded images can be compared andanalyzed against a database to identify the food item within the oven330. Based upon identification, additional meal items, wines, or otherpairings can be suggested at the user interface 352. More specifically,such recipe or food identification can be integrated with thetransparent touchscreen display for the user interface 352, providingfor viewing and interacting with the display, while optionally viewingthe interior of the oven 330 simultaneously.

Examples of event-triggered intervals 342 can be any intervalpre-programmed into the oven's electronic system 344 or any user-definedinterval. In one non-limiting embodiment, an event-triggered interval342 can be a time-based interval 342 a such as specific time remainingin a cooking program such as when a cooking program has 2 minutes oftime remaining. Another example of a time-based interval 342 a might bepushing an image 334 every 5 or 10 minutes during a cooking cycle. Theinterval could be longer or shorter based on the cooking cycleprogrammed time, or, the interval or set point could be input by theuser. At each event-triggered interval 342, the camera 332 can betriggered by the electronic system 344 to send the user an image 334.

In another non-limiting example, an event-triggered interval 342 can bea temperature-based interval 342 b such as when the temperature of thefood item 336 reaches a certain temperature or falls within apredetermined range. In this example, a sensor such as a temperatureprobe 346 can be inserted into the food item 336 for measuring thetemperature of the food item 336. The temperature probe 346 can be incommunication with the oven's electronic system 344 and when theelectronic system 344 detects that the temperature of the food item iswithin, for example, 25 degrees of a predetermined target temperature,the event-triggered interval 342 can be triggered. The temperaturedegree interval could be longer or shorter, or, could be an intervalinput by the user. Another temperature-based interval 342 b might bepushing an image 334 to a user's mobile device 338 at increments of 5 or10 degrees during a cooking cycle or at a specific set point. Onceagain, the interval increments could be longer or shorter, or, theinterval increments or set point could be selected by the user.

In another non-limiting example, an event-triggered interval 342 canoccur at a doneness-based interval 342 c such as when a level of“brownness” is achieved. For example, certain food items may brown orchange color over a cooking cycle. A computing device 348 or controller,for example, in the oven's electronic system 344 can be programmed withan algorithm that can compare the brownness or color change of a fooditem with a desired brownness or color level pre-programmed in theelectronics system 344. Once the comparison is made, the computingdevice 348 can be programmed to transmit an image 334 of the food item336 at one or various brownness intervals or at intervals of increasingbrownness such as every 5 or 10 degrees. In this example, thedoneness-based interval can be longer or shorter, or, an interval or setpoint selected by the user.

As should be recognized, while the doneness-based interval 342 c couldbe based on “brownness” or “char” of a food item, it could also be basedon other indications or measurements of doneness such as internaltemperature, humidity, raising of dough, bubbling, crispiness, or otherindications. One or more sensors could measure one or moredoneness-based indications and the oven's electronic system 344 could beprogrammed to trigger an event based on one or more intervals orcombinations thereof.

In another non-limiting example, an event-triggered interval 342 canoccur at a cooking cycle event 342 d such as when flipping, stirring,mixing, adding a topping, finishing (e.g. turning on the broiler), orany other event that may require user input/interaction. For example,the oven's electronic system 344 can push an image 334 of the food item336 to the user's mobile device 338 when the food item 336 directionsrequire user input or interaction.

Such an event-triggered interval 342 can provide for pushing anotification to the mobile device 338. Alternatively, it is contemplatedthat the mobile device 338 can be used to request a ‘live look’ or alive image or video of the interior of the oven 330 or the food item336, permitting a user to view the food item 336 or interior of the oven330 on demand while remote from the oven 330.

Referring to FIG. 31, another exemplary oven 370 can include atransparent, touchscreen display 372 including an interactive userinterface 374. A camera 376 can be provided on the oven 370 for imaginga food item 378 within the oven 370. The camera 376 can take or recordan image of the food item 378 and provide the image to the display 372.A user 380 can interact with the transparent, touchscreen display 372 toview the food item 378 via imaging from the camera 376. In one example,the user can drag the image across the display to view differentportions of the food item 378. The camera 376 can be responsive toactions by the user 380, to show the food item 378 based upon theinteractions of the user 380 with the user interface 374.

Similarly, the user 380 can ‘pinch’ or ‘pull’ the screen in varyingdirections to zoom into or away from the food item 378. Such zooming canbe recorded by the camera 376 and presented on the user interface 374.Such zooming features provide for inspection of the food item 378 by theuser to check the ‘doneness’ of the food without requiring the user toactually open the oven, while a traditional view of the interior of theoven is not sufficient for checking on the food item 378. As can beappreciated, the user can zoom in on the turkey food item 378 to enlargethe food item 378 as an enlarged food item 382 to carefully inspect thefood item 378 to check for doneness.

Additionally, with the description included herein, it is contemplatedthat a controller or electronics system for an oven can recognize andidentify a particular food item within the oven. Such a recognition canbe pulled from a database of food items, with the oven connected to thedatabase over a network such as the internet. Additionally, the oven canrecord images and add to the database, so the database can ‘learn’,improving food identification over time.

Further aspect of the invention are provided by the subject matter ofthe following clauses:

1. A cooking appliance comprising: a chassis defining a cooking chamberand having an access opening; a heating element located within thechassis; a door pivotably mounted to the chassis including a window forviewing the cooking chamber through the door, and the door being movablebetween a closed position to close the access opening and an openedposition to open the access opening; a transparent, touchscreen displayprovided on the door; a first camera mounted to the chassis for imagingthe cooking chamber interior of the chassis and configured to generate afirst signal representative an image of a food item contained within thecooking chamber for display on the transparent, touchscreen display; asecond camera provided on the chassis for imaging the surroundingenvironment of the cooking appliance and configured to determine aposition and movement of a user and generate a second signalrepresentative of the position and movement of the user; and acontroller communicatively and operably coupled to the transparent,touchscreen display, the first camera, and the second camera, andconfigured to receive the first signal and the second signal, anddisplay the image of the food item contained within the cooking chamberon the transparent, touchscreen display as an augmented image of thefood item that is adjustable based upon the position and movement of theuser as determined by the second signal.

2. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the image isadjustable by rotating the image based upon a lateral position of theuser measured by the second camera.

3. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the displayedimage of the food item is resizable based upon a distance of the userfrom the door as measured by the first camera.

4. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising atleast one light for illuminating the transparent, touchscreen display.

5. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising agasket provided about the access opening and wherein the at least onelight is provided in the gasket.

6. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the doorincludes an inner frame and an outer frame defining a space between theinner frame and the outer frame, and the at least one light is providedin the space to illuminate the transparent, touchscreen display.

7. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising amask provided on the inner frame including at least one gap in the mask,and the at least one light is provided in the at least one gap.

8. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising auser interface provided on the transparent, touchscreen display.

9. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the userinterface includes a transparent portion for viewing the food itemwithin the cooking chamber through the transparent, touchscreen display.

10. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the userinterface further includes a control portion for operating the cookingappliance.

11. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the controlportion provides for coordinating the cooking of multiple food items bycoordinating input times for multiple food items.

12. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the userinterface can suggest a different position for one food item of themultiple food items to provide for imaging of the multiple food items bythe first camera without visual interference of another food item by theone food item of the multiple food items as viewed by the first camera.

13. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising atleast one rack provided in the cooking chamber.

14. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein thetransparent, touchscreen display can suggest a different position forthe rack based upon a preferred cooking position for the food item.

15. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the rack andan interior of the cooking chamber are colored or coated to minimizevisual interference with the transparent, touchscreen display.

16. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising aprobe.

17. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein thetransparent, touchscreen display can suggest a preferred position of theprobe within the food item on the displayed image.

18. A cooking appliance comprising: a chassis defining a cooking chamberand having an access opening; a heating element located within thechassis; a door pivotably mounted to the chassis movable between aclosed position to close the access opening and an opened position toopen the access opening; a transparent, touchscreen display provided onthe door; an exterior camera provided on the chassis for imaging thesurrounding environment of the cooking appliance and configured todetermine a position and movement of a user; and a controllercommunicatively and operably coupled to the transparent, touchscreendisplay and the exterior camera to receive a signal from the exteriorcamera; wherein an opacity of the transparent, touchscreen display isadjusted based upon the position and movement of the user.

19. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the opacitydecreases as the user moves closer to the exterior camera.

20. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the opacityincreases as the user moves further from the exterior camera.

21. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising auser interface provided on the transparent, touchscreen display.

22. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the userinterface includes a transparent portion for viewing a food item withinthe cooking chamber through the transparent, touchscreen display as theopacity decreases when the user moves closer to the exterior camera.

23. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the userinterface further includes a control portion for operating the cookingappliance that decreases opacity of the transparent, touchscreen displaywhen the user moves closer to the exterior camera.

24. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause further comprising aninterior camera for imaging a food item within the cooking chamber.

25. The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein thetransparent, touchscreen display displays the imaged food item when theposition of the user moves closer to the cooking appliance.

26. A method of displaying an image of a food item on a transparent,touchscreen display for a cooking appliance including a cooking chamber,the method comprising:

imaging a food item within the cooking chamber with an interior camera;and

displaying the image of the food item on the transparent, touchscreendisplay based upon the imaging of the food item by the interior camera.

27. The method of any preceding clause wherein the displayed image ofthe food item is an augmented image generated by the interior camera.

28. The method of any preceding clause further comprising imaging a userwith an exterior camera.

29. The method of any preceding clause further comprising adjusting anopacity for the transparent, touchscreen display based upon a distanceof the user from the cooking appliance as measured by the exteriorcamera.

30. The method of any preceding clause further comprising adjusting thedisplayed image based upon a position of the user.

31. The method of any preceding clause wherein adjusting the displayedimage includes rotating the image based upon a lateral position of theuser relative to the cooking appliance.

32. The method of any preceding clause further comprising adjusting thesize of the image of the food item based upon a distance of the userfrom the cooking appliance.

33. The method of any preceding clause further comprising illuminatingthe transparent, touchscreen display with at least one inner light.

34. The method of any preceding clause further comprising displaying, onthe transparent, touchscreen display, a user interface.

35. The method of any preceding clause further comprising operating thecooling appliance via the user interface.

36. The method of any preceding clause wherein imaging the food itemfurther includes imaging multiple food items within the cooking chamber.

37. The method of any preceding clause further comprising displaying, onthe transparent, touchscreen display, information related to each fooditem of the multiple food items.

38. The method of any preceding clause further comprising recommending,on the transparent, touchscreen display, a different position for atleast one food item of the multiple food items, such that no one fooditem blocks another food item of the multiple food items.

39. The method of any preceding clause further comprising recommending,on the transparent, touchscreen display, a different position of a rackin the cooking appliance, based upon the food item imaged by theinterior camera.

40. The method of any preceding clause further comprising suggesting, onthe transparent, touchscreen display, an optimal position for a probeinserted or to be inserted into the food item within the cookingchamber.

41. A method of displaying an image of a food item on a transparent,touchscreen display for a cooking appliance including a cooking chamber,the method comprising: imaging a food item within the cooking chamberwith an interior camera; displaying the image of the food item on thetransparent, touchscreen display based upon the imaging of the food itemby the interior camera; and operating the cooking appliance on a userinterface displayed on the transparent, touchscreen display.

42. The method of any preceding clause wherein operating the cookingappliance includes heating the cooking appliance based upon the imagedfood item.

43. The method of any preceding clause wherein operating the cookingappliance based upon a cook time for the particular imaged food item.

44. The method of any preceding clause wherein the food item includesmultiple food items, and operating the cooking appliance includesimaging multiple food items.

45. The method of any preceding clause further comprising schedulingcooking of the multiple food items and displaying instructions on thetransparent, touchscreen display.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a similar network connected to theoven can be used to control the oven or view the interior of the ovenvia a remote or mobile device. This display or user interface can beremotely provided to a mobile device so the user can operate the ovenremotely or view the contents for doneness. For example, a user may wishto start the oven to preheat on the way home to save time.Alternatively, a long cook time may require a user to remain at home tomonitor the food item. Remote viewing capabilities permit the user toleave the home, while remotely monitoring the food item, providingflexibility for the user to cook a food item while accomplishing othererrands simultaneously.

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments can be used in combination, or insubstitution with each other as desired. That one feature is notillustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed thatit cannot be so illustrated, but is done for brevity of description.Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed andmatched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the newembodiments are expressly described. All combinations or permutations offeatures described herein are covered by this disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooking appliance comprising: a chassisdefining a cooking chamber and having an access opening; a heatingelement located within the chassis; a door pivotably mounted to thechassis including a window for viewing the cooking chamber through thedoor, and the door being movable between a closed position to close theaccess opening and an opened position to open the access opening; atransparent, touchscreen display provided on the door; a first cameramounted to the chassis for imaging the cooking chamber interior of thechassis and configured to generate a first signal representative animage of a food item contained within the cooking chamber for display onthe transparent, touchscreen display; a second camera provided on thechassis for imaging an environment surrounding the cooking appliance andconfigured to determine a position and movement of a user and generate asecond signal representative of the position and movement of the user;and a controller communicatively and operably coupled to thetransparent, touchscreen display, the first camera, and the secondcamera, and configured to receive the first signal and the secondsignal, and display the image of the food item contained within thecooking chamber on the transparent, touchscreen display as an augmentedimage of the food item that is adjustable based upon the position andmovement of the user as determined by the second signal.
 2. The cookingappliance of claim 1 wherein the image is adjustable by rotating theimage based upon a lateral position of the user measured by the secondcamera.
 3. The cooking appliance of claim 1 wherein the displayed imageof the food item is resizable based upon a distance of the user from thedoor as measured by the first camera.
 4. The cooking appliance of claim1 further comprising at least one light for illuminating thetransparent, touchscreen display.
 5. The cooking appliance of claim 4further comprising a gasket provided about the access opening andwherein the at least one light is provided in the gasket.
 6. The cookingappliance of claim 4 wherein the door includes an inner frame and anouter frame defining a space between the inner frame and the outerframe, and the at least one light is provided in the space to illuminatethe transparent, touchscreen display.
 7. The cooking appliance of claim6 further comprising a mask provided on the inner frame including atleast one gap in the mask, and the at least one light is provided in theat least one gap.
 8. The cooking appliance of claim 1 further comprisinga user interface provided on the transparent, touchscreen display. 9.The cooking appliance of claim 8 wherein the user interface includes atransparent portion for viewing the food item within the cooking chamberthrough the transparent, touchscreen display.
 10. The cooking applianceof claim 8 wherein the user interface further includes a control portionfor operating the cooking appliance.
 11. The cooking appliance of claim10 wherein the control portion provides for coordinating the cooking ofmultiple food items by coordinating input times for multiple food items.12. The cooking appliance of claim 11 wherein the user interfacesuggests a different position for one food item of the multiple fooditems to provide for imaging of the multiple food items by the firstcamera without visual interference of another food item by the one fooditem of the multiple food items as viewed by the first camera.
 13. Thecooking appliance of claim 1 further comprising at least one rackprovided in the cooking chamber.
 14. The cooking appliance of claim 13wherein the transparent, touchscreen display suggests a differentposition for the rack based upon a preferred cooking position for thefood item.
 15. The cooking appliance of claim 13 wherein the rack and aninterior of the cooking chamber are colored or coated to minimize visualinterference with the transparent, touchscreen display.
 16. The cookingappliance of claim 1 further comprising a probe.
 17. The cookingappliance of claim 16 wherein the transparent, touchscreen displaysuggests a preferred position of the probe within the food item on thedisplayed image.
 18. A cooking appliance comprising: a chassis defininga cooking chamber and having an access opening; a heating elementlocated within the chassis; a door pivotably mounted to the chassismovable between a closed position to close the access opening and anopened position to open the access opening; a transparent, touchscreendisplay provided on the door; an exterior camera provided on the chassisfor imaging an environment surrounding the cooking appliance andconfigured to determine a position and movement of a user; and acontroller communicatively and operably coupled to the transparent,touchscreen display and the exterior camera to receive a signal from theexterior camera; wherein an opacity of the transparent, touchscreendisplay is adjusted based upon the position and movement of the usersuch that the opacity decreases as the user moves closer to the exteriorcamera and the opacity increases as the user moves further from theexterior camera.
 19. The cooking appliance of claim 18 furthercomprising a user interface provided on the transparent, touchscreendisplay.
 20. The cooking appliance of claim 19 wherein the userinterface includes a transparent portion for viewing a food item withinthe cooking chamber through the transparent, touchscreen display as theopacity decreases when the user moves closer to the exterior camera. 21.The cooking appliance of claim 20 wherein the user interface furtherincludes a control portion for operating the cooking appliance thatdecreases opacity of the transparent, touchscreen display when the usermoves closer to the exterior camera.
 22. The cooking appliance of claim18 further comprising an interior camera for imaging a food item withinthe cooking chamber.
 23. The cooking appliance of claim 22 wherein thetransparent, touchscreen display displays the imaged food item when theposition of the user moves closer to the cooking appliance.